JURONG OUTREACH - May 07

FORTUNE TELLING
1 July 07

God says in Hosea 4:12, that the people of Israel have asked counsel of their stocks and staffs. 

 “My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.”

They were doing this instead of looking to Him for answers to their problems.The pagan people had mythical customs which the Israelites were mimicking. Sometimes they would take two sticks and drop them. Then a 'wise' person would look at how the sticks landed and make an interpretation. This 'reading of the sticks' was supposed to give answers to a question asked.  

Another custom was to have two sticks in a container. One stick would have a 'yes' answer engraved on it. The other stick would have a 'no' answer engraved on it. A person would reach in and pull a stick out. Whichever one came out was the answer to the question. 

Another custom was to take a stick and shave all the bark off one side. This stick would then be dropped. Whichever side was facing up gave the answer. If it was the shaved side, it was a 'yes.' If it was the side with bark, it was a 'no.'

There are people today who do such silly things. They will look at crystals for answers. Some will look at leaves in a bowl. Some will look at cards being turned over. Some will look at skin creases in their palms. Some will look at the stars. Some will simply look to a fortune teller. God says we are to look to his word for the answers to our problems. It contains the answers to make us the person God wants us to be (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 

And God wants us to pray to Him. He is always ready and willing to help us and give us comfort. However, if we become so hard in our sins as to not repent of it but to continue to sin, then there will come a time like in  Hosea 4:14, God tells the Israelites that he is not going to punish their children nor their wives anymore when they commit terrible sins . He listed several of these sins in verses12-14. It seems strange that God would say that he was not going to punish them for their sins.

But God is not saying they will go without punishment. He is saying they are not going to have immediate punishment. The last part of verse fourteen reads, "therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall." He fully intends that the people will reap the consequences of their sins. 

To fully understand what God is stating we must go to Hebrews 12. In verses 5-10, the writer of Hebrews says that a child should appreciate the chastisement (punishment) of a parent. That means the parent loves the child and wants the child to do right. But if the child does not receive punishment, then the parent no longer considers the child as his child.  In Hosea, God is telling the Israelites that He no longer considers them His children. They are so evil that He has decided to allow them to partake of all the sins they wish. But, they will not go unpunished in the end. They are going to be destroyed as a nation. Many will be killed. Many will be taken into slavery.

Pray that you never have God say toward you that He will not punish you for sins. Pray that God will always stay close. He is willing to forgive us of sin if we repent. He is always willing to forgive us if we repent.

In order to be delivered from the bondage of sin, we must “let go” of the practise of sin and turn to Jesus...  

(the Bible calls this repentance, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10),

and then in trusting faith (Acts 16:30-31),  

confess that Jesus is the Son of God and the answer to our sin problem (Romans 10:9-10),  

and be baptized (immersed) in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). I

WHEN GIANTS BATTLE AGAINST GIANTS
8 July 07

When we draw near to God and remain united as his people, the Devil is frustrated in his evil plan. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). God takes ordinary men and women and makes great giants of them. However, when giants fight, we become weak and vulnerable; we behave like mere men. "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3). When we behave in such a manner, Satan takes the day, and the battle belongs to him.

As Christians, there should be no divisions among us. "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). As Christians, we are to bear one another's burden. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:1,2). As Christians, we are to love one another. "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7).

The greatest enemy to the church is Satan and if he can gain a few more people who would fight against each other, a few more who would backbite and argue, they are fighting his battle for him. We, like the giants in the story, will be destroyed! Christians, stand tall! Christians, stand together! Christians, stand with the Lord!

The Devil's Beatitudes

If the devil were to write his beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:

Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians -- they are my best workers.

Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.

Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my missionaries.

Blessed are the troublemakers -- they shall be called my children.

Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.

Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of his sermons.

Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church -- for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.

Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.

Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.

Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work -- for they are my helpers.

Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he shall be with me forever.

Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not you -- I've got you too!

Now, read Matt. 5-6-7!

DEAD FLIES IN THE OINTMENT
15 July 07

INTRO:
In order to get a foundation for our lesson, let us notice
 

Eccl. 9:18.
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” 

Certainly wisdom is better than weapons of war. One may conquer with the power of weapons and still not convert. But note: “One sinner destroyeth much good.” One person out of harmony can do much harm—one spy, one with bad influence. So also it is with a man’s character, as we find in  

Eccl. 10:1.
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”

 DEAD FLIES IN THE OINTMENT.

The Ointment.
Ointment was usually an oily, unctuous, or greasy substance compounded with different spices and aromatics. It was preserved in small alabaster boxes. It kept its aroma for a long time; sometimes it lasted for several hundred years. It was used as a cosmetic, put on clothes and parts of body, used in funerals to anoint dead bodies, used for medical purposes, and used in religious ceremonial observances. Not all ointment was the same. It was made by an apothecary or perfumer. It was a much coveted; it was expensive luxury. 

B. The Dead Flies.
No specific type of fly is mentioned here, except that it was a dead one. These dead flies would corrupt the valuable ointment. They would make it stink or ferment and thus spoil it. 

C. The Lesson.
Little faults mar great characters and reputations. It takes years to build respect and reputation, but just a little folly can tear down what takes years to build.  

Note: Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 22:1.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” 

A man’s name can be ruined by folly and his name will become a stench in men’s nostrils. Many times you think a lot of a person, but that person will have a silly habit or some folly that will make him drop in your estimate. Such flies spoil their ointment. 

II. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE A PRECIOUS OINTMENT.

A.  Precious.
Christ gave his life for the church. Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25.Good congregations are hard to find. They are like precious ointment. 

B. Dead Flies.
The congregation is spoiled by corrupt members. They must be removed at once or they will ruin the ointment. 1 Cor. 5:6-8;Gal. 5:7-10; 2 Thess. 3:6. Only a few flies will cause a stink. 

III. CHRISTIANS’ MINDS ARE PRECIOUS OINTMENT.

A. Precious.
They are precious because they are like Christ. 1 Cor.2:16; 2 Cor. 11:3. 

B. Flies.
Evil thoughts are the flies that must be removed: lust, thoughts because of envy, etc. Matt. 15:19. Drive them away or they spoil the precious ointment. 

IV. CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IS LIKE PRECIOUS OINTMENT.

A. Precious.
It is precious because it is Christ like. It is respected. 

B. Flies.
Flies that spoil are bad habits. Gal. 5:24.

CONCL: Let us get rid of the dead flies lest they spoil our precious ointment and keep it from being Christ like. 

1 Pet. 5:8.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

IS PLACING MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH NECESSARY?
22 July 07

What is meant by the expression “place membership” as it pertains to a local congregation? We must admit that we cannot find that expression in the Bible. It may be for this reason that some think it an unscriptural concept. Is it?  

In Romans 16:1, Paul wrote, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea.” The subject of this verse is Phoebe. Paul identifies her as a Christian by referring to her as “our sister.” A Christian is one who has been immersed into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Her status was that of “a servant.” The word “servant” comes from the Greek word diaconon, and is by some rendered deaconess. That Phoebe served in whatever capacity women may serve God I have no doubt. That she served in any capacity of leadership over men I deny (1 Timothy 2:12). Her sphere of activity was “the church of Cenchrea.” She did not represent the “church at large” or “the church universal.” The church in Cenchrea was a congregation of God’s people in a specific locality, being a harbour town nine miles west of Corinth.  

Sometimes brethren question whether placing membership in a local congregation is either necessary or scriptural. People have said to me, “I am a member of the church wherever I go.”  

I would not deny that statement, but I suggest that opponents to the idea of placing church membership need to carefully consider the New Testament teaching on this subject. Placing membership with a local church is essential for the following reasons.  

For Reasons of Church Organization

The church of Christ, in its universal sense, is the general spiritual body over which Jesus Christ is the head and every Christian is a member (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:22). There is no such thing in the Bible as becoming a Christian and “joining” the church later. The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47).

There are times, in the New Testament, when the word church indicates a congregation of the disciples which comes together on the first day of the week to observe the Lord’s Supper and engage in other acts of public worship (Acts 20:7; Romans 16:5). Each congregation is independent. Paul addressed the church at Philippi saying, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (1:1). Saints are members who work together in that given locality. Bishops are elders or overseers of that local church (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Deacons are qualified servants in that congregation (1 Timothy 3:8-10). The New Testament knows nothing of any organization either larger or smaller than the local congregation in doing the Lord’s work.

For Reasons of Involvement

If someone feels that he has no scriptural reason to identify himself with a local congregation, it is well to ask how he can contribute to the work of that church. There is no obligation that he feels to be involved in the work. There is no accountability to a group of elders. There is no loyalty to a home congregation. There is no joint participation when everyone is disjointed! Remember that Phoebe was involved with the church in Cenchrea as one of its members.  

For Reasons of Oversight

Churches of Christ who have qualified men should have a plurality of elders overseeing the work of that congregation (Acts 1:23; Titus 1:5). These bishops are to shepherd the local flock. They do not have jurisdiction over any other congregation (Acts 20:28).  

Picture, if you will, the following scenario. Mr. Jones moves from one community (town or city) to another. He was labouring under the oversight of the elders of congregation “A” where he lived formerly. Since he no longer lives in that town, it is not possible that the elders of congregation “A” can continue to watch in behalf of his soul, as they are obligated to do (Hebrews 13:17). Mr. Jones needs to find another faithful congregation (congregation “B”) and let his desire to work and worship with them be known. This is what we mean by the expression “place membership.” Actually, brother Jones is a member of the body of Christ wherever he may go. Yet, he cannot function under the oversight of two congregations at once, or of all congregations (such as “the church at large” idea would suggest).  

It is amazing how some brethren fail to understand this elementary principle of Scripture. In a church bulletin not long ago I read of a deacon and his family leaving one congregation and going to another in the same city. The announcement said, “There is no other reason other than we both feel this is what we need and what we want to do. ________________ will always be our ‘Church Home’ . . . It’s just worshipping at a different location of the Lord’s body.”  

Brethren need to identify themselves with a local congregation and work specifically under the oversight of those elders. How can elders watch for the souls of persons without knowing those who are committed to their care? Also, how can elders exercise the divinely given function of oversight unless persons submit to that oversight? Those brethren who prate against the idea of placing membership in a local congregation actually oppose the Lord’s design 

For Reasons of Apostolic Example

Soon after his conversion, Saul (Paul) worked with the church in Damascus:

“And when he had received food he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 9:18-22).

From there he seeks to identify himself with the church in Jerusalem:

“And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out” (Vss. 26-28).

The disciples comprised the church in Jerusalem. To “join” them in their meetings, to work and be recognized as a member among them is like our “placing membership” with a local congregation today. To “join the disciples” is not the same as becoming a Christian. That occurred when Saul was immersed into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 9:17-18; 22:16). To “join the disciples” is not the same as “joining a denomination,” since Protestant denominations did not exist in New Testament times (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27).  

Is placing membership in a local church necessary? It is indeed! Is it scriptural? Absolutely! The New Testament teaches that we are to be in a congregation, subject to the leadership of the elders, involved in that work and supportive of the Lord’s cause in that place.

ICU
29 July 07 

“ICU.” Many instantly recognize those letters and know that they stand for “Intensive Care Unit.” And many – if not most – have either spent time in ICU or have waited on friends and loved ones who need the specialized medical care found in this unit of the hospital. Turn your attention for a moment to the waiting room where friends and family wait for news of the well-being of their loved one. Consider the insights of Wes Seelinger in his experience in the ICU waiting room:  

“I have spent long hours in the intensive care waiting room … watching with anguished people … listening to urgent questions: ‘Will my husband make it? Will my child walk again? How do you live without your companion of thirty years?’  

“The intensive care waiting room is different from any other place in the world ... and the people who wait are different. They can’t do enough for each other. No one is rude. The distinctions of race and class melt away. A person is a father first, a black man second. The garbage man loves his wife as much as the university professor loves his. Everyone knows that loving someone else is what life is all about.”  

This is the truth, whether or not you are in the ICU waiting room! Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” He answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-39).  Life is all about loving God and loving others; that’s the way God designed it.  

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). God loves us so much that He wants to save us and add us to His eternal family to live with Him forever in heaven.  

His eternal family is the church – God’s ICU, HIS Intensive Care Unit!  

You can be saved from your sins and added to God’s family (Acts 2:41,47)
by believing in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31),

turning from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),

confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),

and being baptized (immersed) in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  

God provides special care in His ICU, the church. Won’t YOU submit to Him and become a part of His eternal family today?  

God watches over us when we are tried

Why me, Lord?” We have all asked it. Why does it always have to rain on my parade? Why did this have to happen to me? Why my child? Why my marriage? Why my job? Why? Why? Why?

The answer may be found in an obscure Old Testament passage where God is pictured as sitting over a refiner’s fire making silver of His people. Malachi wrote: “And he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3).

A woman read this verse in Bible class and was curious enough to seek out a silversmith to see what it meant. She found him

sitting before a crucible, gazing intently into a boiling pot. She asked, “Do you have to sit here all the time or just come back when it’s finished?” He replied, “I have to keep my eye on the crucible. If it gets too hot, the silver is injured. I know the process of purifying is completed when I see my own image reflected in the silver.”

God watches as we go thru trials in life. He will be there to make sure that the fire will not get too hot to destroy us. 

1 Cor 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.